Tonight’s preseason finale at CBS against Atlanta will be huge pivot point. Dozens of careers are on the line, so player evaluation throughout the whole roster is paramount. But the object of any game is to win. Here we have two of last year’s playoff teams, both 0-3 so far. Tony Grossi today reviews the preseason records of past teams that played in the Super Bowl:

Only 2.7 percent had winless preseasons (and neither of those two teams won the big game).

13.5 percent won one preseason game.

43.2 percent were 2-3, 2-2, or 3-2.

23.8 percent had 3-1 “or close” preseason records.

12.2 percent were undefeated.

So while a sterling exhibition record is no requirement for making it deep into the post-season, a team that fails to win even one of those games clearly has significant deficiencies. For the Browns, those are no secret: a porous secondary, raw linebackers, and inadequate depth on the OL. Can those weaknesses be mitigated enough for the strength of the team — skill players on offense and special teams — to propel us into late January? Of course, that’s a rhetorical question. That’s why they play the games. In the words of our feckless leader, bring ’em on.